The Thunder Thread

[rawbertson.]

i think the "soft bushing" thing is a bit overblown because these trucks feel much more stable than indy, lurpiv, and af1. to me they all felt equally squirrely when brand new, it just took maybe 2 hrs of skating to harden up. but keep in mind i am 160lbs and i used the 8.5" 149 version so everyone is going to have a different experience.

[SwitchBenihana]

The bushings firm up but are pretty fucking soft. I can skate Ace stock with 1.5-2 threads showing and Indy with 1. I had to tighten these to 2.5 even after skating them for an hour. They did firm up and I backed off and are around 1.5 threads. To me they feel more divey than Ace or Indy likely due to the lower conical bushing. They also resist wheelbite more. Personally speaking that makes them less stable on center for me, but I get used to it. These and Lurpiv are my preferred truck to bring on work trips and just cruise random park transition, find some curbs or banks, etc. for when I want to skate some of everything and don't mind the limitations that impact flat ground or more "tech" stuff I'll skate when home.

[rawbertson.]

i am not doubting your experience, it is just very different to me because i feel like i actually tic tac quite a bit on T2s (but not as much as T1 and venture) where on all the other brands i feel like almost never need to tic tac. i am finding sometimes i just dont get quite enough turn on t2, it feels to me closer to the blue bushings on the indys. i have everything running quite flush, i found i had to tighten the indys a tiny bit actually. i need a new set of indys to compare i think though -its been a long time since i got a new set.

[Beardedpirate]

I really hope they stop putting this sticker on the trucks… I have to use a scour pad to clean it off now

Randomly, eucalyptus oil is great for getting rid of sticker residue.

[Scab Picker]

After looking I really wanna grab a pair of T2s once they sort out what seems to be overly soft bushings. If they make a hollow variant as well that'd be amazing. The specs and dimensions of these look perfect.

I tried the blue and red aftermarket bushings for OG Thunders, and the red ones work perfectly for me. V8s might be better overall for me but I have more fun skating transition on the T-IIs compared to AF1s and Ventures.

The T-II hollow lights come out early next year.

[pizzafliptofakie]

sorry if this has been asked a million times, but how do aftermarket Thunder bushings feel compared to Bones? I always use Bones Mediums but they seem to be a kinda tight fit in standard Thunders. Looks like these are about comparable in durometer, but I assume they fit better?


https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Thunder_Premium_Bushings_90D_White/descpage-TUPRMWHTBU.html

[BartHarleyJarvis]

sorry if this has been asked a million times, but how do aftermarket Thunder bushings feel compared to Bones? I always use Bones Mediums but they seem to be a kinda tight fit in standard Thunders. Looks like these are about comparable in durometer, but I assume they fit better?


https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Thunder_Premium_Bushings_90D_White/descpage-TUPRMWHTBU.html

In my experience the aftermarket thunder bushings are good. Even better if you can find the rebuild kits with the clear bushings. I can’t speak to bones because the only pair I had crumbled within a week BUT I’ve grabbed a couple sets of these 90du thunder bushings and the fit is factory and they felt pretty good right away, minimal break in. This would be for both 149s and 151s, I would usually do brand new bushings whenever I wanted to set up a twin tail.

[rocklobster]

Expand Quote

reminds me of those goons keeping the sticker on their New Era fitted hat! 

[close]

I feel called out, you weren’t there man! It was a time, and we had the world on a platter, lol I kept them on until I figured out after the sun fades the bill and then you have a circle that isn’t the same color as the rest of the hat so I started peeling mine, as for truck stickers I like using a razor blade and then going over it with some alcohol or goo gone, or make an abrasion paste with some baking soda and water, I also hear WD40 is good to get off some adhesives but haven’t tried it

Same, had a decent collection of New Era caps back in the day, always worn with a slight tilt to the side which the young'uns at the park questioned me about, hit them with the:

[pizzafliptofakie]

Expand Quote

sorry if this has been asked a million times, but how do aftermarket Thunder bushings feel compared to Bones? I always use Bones Mediums but they seem to be a kinda tight fit in standard Thunders. Looks like these are about comparable in durometer, but I assume they fit better?


https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Thunder_Premium_Bushings_90D_White/descpage-TUPRMWHTBU.html

[close]

In my experience the aftermarket thunder bushings are good. Even better if you can find the rebuild kits with the clear bushings. I can’t speak to bones because the only pair I had crumbled within a week BUT I’ve grabbed a couple sets of these 90du thunder bushings and the fit is factory and they felt pretty good right away, minimal break in. This would be for both 149s and 151s, I would usually do brand new bushings whenever I wanted to set up a twin tail.

nice, think I'm gonna go ahead and grab a set then. Thanks!

[rawbertson.]

Lol i def had the new era hats, tall T era, but i always took the sticker off!!!

[Dan Gerous]

Expand Quote

After looking I really wanna grab a pair of T2s once they sort out what seems to be overly soft bushings. If they make a hollow variant as well that'd be amazing. The specs and dimensions of these look perfect.

[close]

I tried the blue and red aftermarket bushings for OG Thunders, and the red ones work perfectly for me. V8s might be better overall for me but I have more fun skating transition on the T-IIs compared to AF1s and Ventures.

The T-II hollow lights come out early next year.

Hollow Lights T-II, so if they stick to their naming scheme, that would mean a forged plate with a 1mm lower height?

[Rick Trapasso]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

After looking I really wanna grab a pair of T2s once they sort out what seems to be overly soft bushings. If they make a hollow variant as well that'd be amazing. The specs and dimensions of these look perfect.

[close]

I tried the blue and red aftermarket bushings for OG Thunders, and the red ones work perfectly for me. V8s might be better overall for me but I have more fun skating transition on the T-IIs compared to AF1s and Ventures.

The T-II hollow lights come out early next year.

[close]

Hollow Lights T-II, so if they stick to their naming scheme, that would mean a forged plate with a 1mm lower height?

I know it sounds crazy but a 1mm lower height makes these much more appealing to me.

[SwitchBenihana]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

sorry if this has been asked a million times, but how do aftermarket Thunder bushings feel compared to Bones? I always use Bones Mediums but they seem to be a kinda tight fit in standard Thunders. Looks like these are about comparable in durometer, but I assume they fit better?


https://www.skatewarehouse.com/Thunder_Premium_Bushings_90D_White/descpage-TUPRMWHTBU.html

[close]

In my experience the aftermarket thunder bushings are good. Even better if you can find the rebuild kits with the clear bushings. I can’t speak to bones because the only pair I had crumbled within a week BUT I’ve grabbed a couple sets of these 90du thunder bushings and the fit is factory and they felt pretty good right away, minimal break in. This would be for both 149s and 151s, I would usually do brand new bushings whenever I wanted to set up a twin tail.

[close]

nice, think I'm gonna go ahead and grab a set then. Thanks!

Late to the game but I'd get the 94 replacements. They soften up a ton and last much longer for me. I used to use Bones and these felt the most similar.

[tom]

I'm like 210 pounds and I'm riding my T2's stock loose. They kind of firmed up a little, so I'm hoping they come out with a similar squishy red 90a rebuild kit for these. Some flip tricks are feeling wonky, but I learned crook popovers and did a few other personal firsts with them. I'm guessing the pros outweigh the cons for me at the moment so I won't be swapping back to my regular thunders any time soon

[Xen]

Conical DohDohs are a perfect height match.

[pops]

Are T2s coming in wider sizes in the future?

[rawbertson.]

Are T2s coming in wider sizes in the future?

151 for sure

[rawbertson.]

These T2 pivot cups are MAD squeaky like Indy’s
Can you use riptide?

[tanhoe]

I'm like 210 pounds and I'm riding my T2's stock loose. They kind of firmed up a little, so I'm hoping they come out with a similar squishy red 90a rebuild kit for these. Some flip tricks are feeling wonky, but I learned crook popovers and did a few other personal firsts with them. I'm guessing the pros outweigh the cons for me at the moment so I won't be swapping back to my regular thunders any time soon

I like this

[Dan Gerous]

These T2 pivot cups are MAD squeaky like Indy’s
Can you use riptide?

Less than a pinch of graphite powder in the cups and zing: silence!

Graphite powder is a very fine powder mostly used to lube lock mechanisms, it's very cheap in the locks section of hardware stores or Amazon and it lasts longer than wax shavings and doesn't gum up with dust and dirt like a liquid lube. It kind of acts like a bunch of loose ball bearings but at a microscopic level, so the hanger 'rolls' into the pivot cup instead of sliding against it.

[tzhangdox]

I rode my t2s around a bit today again with the stock bushings, which in my first impressions I said were wayyyy too loose and I swapped em out.

Was a bit patient with them and within an hour or so they firmed up. Definitely still on the looser turnier side for me, 200 pounds and usually ride ventures... but with only half a thread ish showing ish its totally within my acceptable range and skateable.

[UrbanSombrero]

I also hope they come out with some harder oem bushings. I really like the trucks my flip tricks are working well and I'm riding the 149s on a 14.5 wheelbase deck and love the pop feel. The stability is something I'm still getting used to. I have about 1.5 threads showing on the front truck and like 1 on the back. I'm around 200lbs, I'd like them tighter but I don't want to lose the turn. I'm coming from Indy 149 standard hollows with the blue bushings and don't really see a reason to go back yet.... If I could get some harder bushings made for these trucks I'd be hyped. I can't do the different brand bushings in trucks otherwise the madness happens.

[JM]

I also hope they come out with some harder oem bushings. I really like the trucks my flip tricks are working well and I'm riding the 149s on a 14.5 wheelbase deck and love the pop feel. The stability is something I'm still getting used to. I have about 1.5 threads showing on the front truck and like 1 on the back. I'm around 200lbs, I'd like them tighter but I don't want to lose the turn. I'm coming from Indy 149 standard hollows with the blue bushings and don't really see a reason to go back yet.... If I could get some harder bushings made for these trucks I'd be hyped. I can't do the different brand bushings in trucks otherwise the madness happens.

You want tight? These ace IKP bushings are tight. And they are the same measurements as stock thunder (using their washers). See my post somewhere above for pics.

[FrAnKenFrEd]

Expand Quote

Are T2s coming in wider sizes in the future?

[close]

151 for sure

151s next drop,  (Fall Drop 2) plus black versions of the other sizes... And Drop 3, somebody very special gets the first signature T2! Haven't seen any sign of a 161 yet.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Are T2s coming in wider sizes in the future?

[close]

151 for sure

[close]

151s next drop,  (Fall Drop 2) plus black versions of the other sizes... And Drop 3, somebody very special gets the first signature T2! Haven't seen any sign of a 161 yet.

Ha yeah, it's a good one hey!?!??!

[Sedition]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Are T2s coming in wider sizes in the future?

[close]

151 for sure

[close]

... And Drop 3…

Laughed quite hard when I saw that Krooked deck…

[pizzafliptofakie]

lemme see these drops plz

[gsosa]

lemme see these drops plz

Could I be able to get some screenshots or something of these drops?? I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to see the T2 151s and other DLX awesomeness

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

lemme see these drops plz

[close]

Could I be able to get some screenshots or something of these drops?? I'm on the edge of my seat wanting to see the T2 151s and other DLX awesomeness

There are no pics of any wider T2 trucks, not even in the catalog.  All it says is 147, 148, 149 and 151 and the pre book info with the price list more than anything else.

Catalogs are pre release to shops, or associated persons, so unfortunately it is not a good idea to post from these if anyone wants to keep their DLX distribution account, but people still do from time to time anyway.

I guess it is more just down to going in to a shop and someone showing you the catalog, as some people do quite regularly, but there is often sensitive info that shouldn't be shared online too, especially with "surprise pro releases" or similar things, so it is not a good idea for those sort of things to be easily posted on public forums like this one, as per the AH recent board release.

[Mbrimson88]

.

On another note, with the "hex mold" baseplate the regular Thunder truck now has, have any people changed over their regular Thunder kingpin to an inverted option?

I hadn't really messed around with it a whole lot, but after seeing someone use the regular kingpin upside down and mount it on a set of Indy trucks not too long ago, I thought that might work well enough in Thunder as well, as I had used a grinder and turned a regular button kingpin into a hex head, so with a little work, I didn't even need any other parts to add in to an existing set of Thunder trucks.

This might be a little way out for most people, admittedly it was pretty out there, even for me, but I am surprised and actually pretty happy with how they turned out.  Kingpins are easy to get and it is not like the baseplate is done if I need to just replace kingpin and or the kingpin nut if it gets loose.

Also it has way more clearance than any other option of inverted kingpin or anything that I have added into it too.